Party Planning for Procrastinators

Somewhere between Secret Santa with the girls and your sister's cookie exchange, you managed to overcommit yourself (again!) this year. And now you're trying to throw together a holiday party at the last minute. Don't fret — just follow these time-saving tips from the pros.

Tap into your social network.

Tap into your social network.

Reach out to important guests to first learn their availability and work around them. “I quickly get on my iPhone and find three or four key guests who can come and build out from there,” says Lyss Stern, New York City party planner and founder of Divalysscious Moms. “Often I’ll lean on a couple close friends to sniff out who is available.” A phone call at the last minute is the best way to invite guests and keep it personal. Following up with an email or Evite is fine, too. Remember that a solid guest list is the foundation to a successful party. “Invite people who know one another, but also throw in some unexpected folks to keep it interesting,“ says Tara Guérard, founder of Soiree, an event planning company based in Charleston, South Carolina.

Set the stage.

Set the stage.

A few easy, DIY tricks can get your home buzzing with holiday spirit in no time. Buy coordinating paper and ribbon for all your gifts and let the wrapped presents serve as decor. “I curate the colors, patterns, and bows on these gifts to create a cohesive holiday look and place them around the house in vignettes instead of hiding them in the closet,” says David Stark, Brooklyn-based event producer.

To instantly update your holiday table, turn craft-bin remnants into homemade napkin rings. “Make your own by tying napkins with a length of ribbon, cord, lace, or coordinating fabric,” says Penne Cairoli, president of Laura Ashley. Try wrapping the ribbon around the base of basic pillar candles, transforming them into festive accouterments.